3 B’non Cacao farmers’ groups get equipment from DTI’s Inremp

BUKIDNON Cacao farmers will now have a more efficient production of cacao beans with new equipment that can improve the quality of cacao through proper fermentation and drying. 

Three Cacao farmers’ groups in Bukidnon will now be able to grow Cacao more efficiently with new equipment that can boost Cacao beans’ quality through proper fermentation and drying, said in a press statement Thursday.

Recently, the Trade and Industry department (DTI-10), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and local government units (LGUs) officials turned over a Cacao All-weather Solar Tunnel Dryer with fermentation boxes for each of the three People’s Organizations (POs) in Bukidnon.

The three groups such as One is the Buyot Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (BUFA) in Don Carlos town; Basyawon-Kisolop Small Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (BKSUFA) in Kibawe; and the Alliance of Integrated Farmers in San Isidro, Inc. (AIFSI) in Damulog municipality will manage these government’s agricultural support, a report said.

It said, the Solar Tunnel Dryer is used to improve the quality of Cacao beans through fermentation and drying thereby preserving the rich aroma and taste of cocoa beans.

DTI Bukidnon Provincial Director Eriberto Taban-ud Jr, urged the beneficiaries to eventually improve the food chain with the use of the new equipment.

“Let’s not forget that the next step after mastering the fermentation is to level-up [the value chain]—from tablea, chocolate, and hot cocoa, among other cocoa foodstuffs,” Taban-ud said.

BUFA President Gregorio Perater thanked the DTI and PENRO for the efforts in ensuring that the government’s assistance through Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management-Livelihood Enhancement Support (INREMP-LES 2) Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project will be definitely delivered.

“Tungod ini, mas mo-taas na pud unya ang presyo sa among pagbaligya sa produkto,” perater said.

BKSUFA President Norma Adem, meanwhile, was close to tears upon knowing that BKSUFA was one of the recipients.  

“Salamat gyud kaayo sa DTI nga inyo gyud mi gitagaan ug pagtagad. Wala ko nagdahom nga sa krisis nga nahitabo karon sa tibuok kalibutan, maingon nako nga pag-asa gyud ni para sa amoa nga mga mag-uuma kay lu-ag pud among uma sa Cacao dinhi,” Adem said

Kibawe town boasts 54 hectares of Cacao that is expected to bear fruit this year and 57 hectares that will bear fruit next year, while Damulog has 211 hectares of Cacao that is expected to bear fruit this year.

Acknowledging the farmers gratefulness, DTI Regional Director Linda Boniao urged farmers to be persevering and steadfast in their goals to earn more.

“More DTI programs are coming to help farmers flourish,” said Boniao, adding they visited far-flung areas to lift people—especially farmers—out of poverty. (Recthie Tolinero/Julie A. Nieva, DTI 10/PIA Bukidnon)